Page 45 of The Hellion and the Captain
He laughed, loud and raw, and Emmaline had never felt such peace.
They were meant for one another.
Now she just had to convince him in turn.
Chapter Fifteen
The first game against the Manchester Athletics approached so quickly that it almost took Emmaline by surprise, especially when she and Rhys had been so busy enjoying one another.
This was nothing but a practice match, yet both teams’ underlying emotions were palpable, especially after last season.
Manchester Central had forced their rival to sever ties with their main club sponsor, although it was the sponsor’s fault for trying to sabotage Lord Harcourt’s mill and club.
That, plus Manchester Central having beaten them out of the FA Cup last season, was obviously not a truth that the Athletics were ready to accept, for the air crackled with tension as players from both teams lined up on the pitch, their gazes locked from across the field in silent challenge.
Emmaline took her place among her teammates, her heart pounding with anticipation and nerves. Today’s match would be her greatest test yet, for not only would she have to prove herself to her teammates, the club committee, and their supporters, but she would also have to hide her true identityand ensure that no one guessed she was anyone but Emmett Williams.
After the Athletics captain won the coin toss, the whistle blew, and the game exploded into action. Players darted across the field, their boots churning up grass and mud.
Emmaline kept pace with the play, already feeling the success of Rhys’s training efforts. Her stamina and strength were greater than ever, and her focus was sharp.
Rhys and Colin connected and almost scored, but Colin shot the ball just over the crossbar — where he always missed whenever he didn’t knock it between the posts, and the ball went back to the other end, those watching equally split as roars were loud each way.
On the way back, Tommy passed the ball over to her, and Emmaline maneuvered it between her feet.
She looked across the field, ready to feed it to Colin, but before she could make a move, a bulky figure suddenly slammed into her from the side, sending her sprawling. Wincing, she looked up into the sneering face of Victor Reeves, an Athletics forward she hadn’t liked watching, let alone play against.
“Watch yourself, pretty boy,” he snarled, his eyes glinting with malice. “Accidents happen on the field when you’re not careful.”
Emmaline gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain in her nearly healed ribs as she pushed herself back to her feet. Taunts were part of the game, as was the odd aggressive play. She refused to allow them to bother her. She had a job to do.
The match raged on, a fierce battle for dominance. Victor made it his mission to target Emmaline as he continued to find ways to bump into her. A few were small knocks, but he sent her flying off her feet more than once. Each hit jarred her bones, but she refused to back down, meeting his aggression with skill and determination.
The last hit came with only a few minutes left in the tied game, and by that point, Emmaline was so tired and sore that it took a few extra minutes to get herself off the ground. She looked up to determine what was happening across the field, but all she could see was Rhys storming toward her, his brow furrowed and his fists at his sides.
He veered from his initial path toward Victor, coming over to Emmaline instead, holding out a hand to help her to her feet.
“Are you all right?” he asked in a gruff, low tone, concern swimming in his eyes.
“I’m fine,” she said, also noting Colin’s worried gaze as he neared but kept a fair distance away.
“Are you sure?” Rhys said. “No ‘offside’?”
He remembered their plan and the word she would say when she needed help. Why did that cause her to feel evenmoreaffection toward him?
“I’m fine,” she said. “For whatever reason, he’s taken a dislike to me, but I can handle it, Rhys. I promise.”
Rhys nodded, but when he turned around, Victor was nearing them again, and Emmaline knew in an instant there was no stopping Rhys from trying to protect her in one way or another.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Reeves?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
Reeves smirked, unrepentant. “Playing the game, Lockwood. Not my fault if your boy can’t handle a little rough and tumble.”
“That was no accident, and you know it,” Rhys growled, squaring up to the forward who just about matched him in height, a rare occurrence. “Keep your hands off my player, or you’ll have me to deal with.”
The referee’s whistle pierced the air, breaking the standoff. Rhys shot Victor one last warning,pointing a finger at him.
“Stay away, Reeves,” he said, but Victor just continued to smirk back at him, and Emmaline felt her stomach churn, as she had a feeling that if the forward came after her again, there would be no stopping Rhys.
